People feel the pinch of truckers strike

Bangalore, Jul 3 (UNI) People were put to great hardship as the indefinite strike by truckers, in response to a nationwide stir call by the All India Motor Transport Congress, entered the second day in Karnataka today.

Vegetables which were transported to neighbouring states have begun to rot due to the strike. The prices of essential commodities, including rice and wheat have gone up due to non-arrival of stocks.

The Karnataka State Exchequer is losing about Rs 150 crore per day due to the agitation.

More than 2.75 lakh goods vehicles, including trucks and tempos, were off the roads since midnight yesterday, demanding, among other things, withdrawal of hike in sales tax, toll tax and High Court order making Speed Governors mandatory.

The Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association President G R Shanmugappa told UNI that there was no sign of the strike being withdrawn as the talks with Union Minister T R Balu yesterday failed.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Minister for Transport R Ashok invited the agitators for talks on fixing of Speed Governors.

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